All awards are voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Pollard led the MEAC in both scoring and rebounding in 2016-17, averaging 18.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per contest. Her .571 field goal percentage was also the best in the conference, and she also tied for fifth in blocked shots (2.0 per game.) She was seventh in the nation with 12 double-doubles last season, and Pollard also ranked among the top 25 nationally in offensive rebounding (4.0 per game) and made free throws (150).

Last season the Hornets star forward was named First Team All-American by BOXTOROW. In addition, she was the MEAC Player of the Week four times, MEAC Defensive Player of the Week two times and was honored as D1 Women's Basketball HERO of The Week once.

This is the first time since Mandy Clark (2004-2005) that a Hornet has been named Preseason Player of the Year.